The University of Aberdeen has launched a unique online LLM course that aims to meet the growing interest in the use of non-court means of settling legal disputes.
The Dispute Resolution LLM, which is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) to Membership or Fellowship level, is the only programme of its kind in the UK focussing on the three disciplines of negotiation, mediation and arbitration.
Students can choose from part-time and online study options, and can take one of a number of qualifications over periods of one, two or two-and-a-half years.
The launch of the course followed a survey that the University undertook in partnership with the Law Society of Scotland and Scottish law firm Burness Paull LLP, which collected statistical information on the number of disputes dealt with under the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010.
The survey found that the Act is having an impact in encouraging arbitration as companies seek to maintain discretion in their legal affairs and avoid the potentially lengthy process of settling disputes in the public courts.
Programme co-ordinator Derek Auchie, from the University of Aberdeen’s Law School, said: “Mediation is growing across all sectors on a global level and is often a quick and cost-effective way to bring disputes to an end while maintaining an ongoing commercial, employment, community or family relationship.
“However, many of those involved in negotiating a dispute do not have the skills to do so effectively, and the new LLM - accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) - is geared towards busy professionals who are involved in doing business or representing clients where there is scope for a dispute.
“The programme allows for flexible and convenient part-time study, and students can obtain a postgraduate qualification in any one of the three individual disciplines of arbitration, negotiation and mediation - or all three if they wish. In addition, there will be intensive input from specialist tutors that will ensure a high quality, practical learning experience.
“The flexibility offered by the programme allows graduates to hone or gain new skills in any one of these three components over a period of one, two or two-and-a-half years, and helps them to develop their careers in a convenient way.”
